Dredging machine



March 8,1927. 1,619,85@

v. F. CASEY l DREDGING MACHINE 'Filed March 12, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q e n K9 l INvE/v Tof? Veeco CASEY y www TToR/VE YJ Patented Mar, 8, i927.,

unirenfsraras Leidt@ PATE? VASCO F. CASEY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO MINNEAPOLIS DREDG- ING CO., OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, A COEARTNERSHIP COMPOSED OF BER- NARD W. HARRIS, LEO B. HARRIS, VASCO I'.k CASEY, AND HENRY Ii. MEYERS.

DREDGING MACHINE.

Application filed March 12, 1925. Serial No. 15,016.

This-invention relates to improvements in dredging machines and more particularly to the hydraulic type employing a suction pump for lifting or removing the material from its source and discharging it through a suitable discharge pip'eat the desired destination.

Hydraulic dredges such as are in common use at the present timeusually employ a suction or dredging pump having a suitable suction tube or pipe 'connected therewith, which is provided at its suction end with a revolving cutter or agit-ator adapted to engage and loosen the material so that it may l5 be drawn into the suction tube together with the water. This pump and its power means, which may be either steam, electric current or an internal combustion engine, are mounted upon a hull together withV the necessary control mechanism for operating the dredge.

rIhe suction tube is usually supported by a ladder or boom which, generally, is pivotally mounted adjacent the forward end of the hull and is provided with suitable hoisting means for lowering and raising it into and out of the water. In mounting and supporting the suction tube and its associated parts on one end of the dredge, the size and 'length' thereof must be maintained within a certain limit to avoid overloading the forward end of the dredge, resulting from the excessive overhanging of the end of the suction tube, fis the depth to which a dredge can excavate is governed substantially by the length of its suction tube, o the depth to which the revolving cutter or agitator thereof can be lowered, it will readily be understood that in order to excavate or dredge a deep canal or excavation, the suction tube must of necessity, be of considerable length, which, as above stated, is objectionable in present types of dredges. It is therefore desirable that means be provided whereby the overall length of the suction tube may be considerably increased without adding excessive weight to either end of the dredge, and' in such a manner that the weight ef the tube and its operating parts will be equally distributed substantially upon the hull or supporting means or the dredge. A

The novel dredging machine featured in this invention is designed to meet the above requirements, as will be readily seen and understood by reference to the accompanying drawings. The construction of this novel dredge is such that the suction tube and boom are mounted and carried substantially upon the center of the dredge, thereby eliminating the objectionable feature of the ladder overhanging one end of the dredge and the use of a supporting means for the end of the boom and also distributing the weight evenly upon the Asupporting tanks of the dredge.

Another feature of the invention resides in the novel mounting of the power means or motor and also the suction pump, in an open tank mounted between and secured to a pair of main supporting tanks, preferably arranged in spaced parallel relation and rigidly secured together by a structural framework. Y rihe control mechanism is preferably mounted at the rear of the dredge at a point above the operating mechanism so that the operator will have a clear vision on all sides to watch the operation of the motors and pump, and also so that he may readily and conveniently watch the movement of the dredge when moving from place to place.

Another important feature consists in mounting the boom and preferably the pump and motor in a low down position between the tanksnear or below the water line so that a` boom of the ordinary length will have a more effective reach and can be used in deeper water than usual in dredges of this type.

rilhe particular object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improved dredging machine.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description, and the accompanying drawings, and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood tl at the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, i

Figure l is a view in sectional elevation showing the novel mounting of the suction tube and ladder and .also the open tank in lli which -the pump and its motor are mounted;

Figure 2 is a plan View of Figure 1 showf ing the ladder and suction tube in substantially horizontal position, the upper' portion ofthe dieedgebeing omitted to more clearly show the parts;

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of thc rear end of the dredge showing the ar langement of the winding drums thereon, and the driving means therefor;

Figure 4- is a cross sectional view on the line 1; of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 a similar view on the line 5-5 of Figure `1.

vThe novel dredging machine shown in the accompanying drawings preferably coniprises a pair of main supporting pontoon tanks 6, upon which the superstructure isfmounted fas will hereinafter be described. The supporting tanks 6 are watertight preferably secured together in spaced parallel relation by means of a plurality of crossbean'is 7 preferably of channel iron. -The interior of the tanks is preferably pro` vided with a series of watertight bulkheads forming a series of water-tight chambers. Angle iron hoops or bands 8 are preferably provided on lthe tanks 6 to provide a reinforcing means therefor and also to provide n'ieans whereby the beam 7 may be rigidly secured thereto. As shown in Figure 4, the beams 7 are secured to the hoops 8 by means of gusset plates 9 which are secured -to the beams 7 by rivets 11 and have their lower portions areuately cut and formed to tit the peripheries of the tanks so that they may be secured to the outwardly projecting flanges of the hoops S by means of rivets 12 as shown.

As shown in the drawings, particularly Figures 1 and 4, the means provided for supporting the suction pump 13 and thc drive motor 14 therefor, preferably consists of an open tank 15. mounted between the -tu'o cylindrical tanks G and is suitably secured thereto by means of gusset plates 16, shown in Figure 4. A structural frame 1T is preferably mounted in the tank 15 and provides a supporting means for the pump 13 and the motor `14. The pump 13 directly coupled to Athe motor 14E by means of a` coupling 1S, of ordinary construction.

An important feature of this invention resides in the novel mounting of the suction tube and the supporting means therefor. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the suction tube or pipe 19 is rotatably mounted in a structural frame or boom 21, which is pivotally connected .to a pair of upright posts 22 by means of suitable-pivot pins 23 be tween the supporting tanks G. The upright posts 22 are suitably secured to one of the transverse beams 7 adjacent the open tank 1 5,a 1,1 d de end therefrom to a point Vpreferably sli tly lbelow the axes of the ftwo main supporting tanks 6,as shown in Figure 1. lDiagonal braces (not shown) are preferably provided between the posts 22 to securely brace them and to Areta-in them substantial-ly in parallel relation. The pump and motor and the boom are positioned between the tanks near or below the Water line and-adaptthe boom for working in a greater depth of water than usual in dredges having booms of `this length.

In structures of this type the suction tube 19 is usually rotatably mounted in suitable bearii'igs 24 secured to the boom by such means as Athe angle bars 25. These ibearings are of ordinary constructionand are thereforenot shown in detail. 'The upper end of the suction tube V19 'is connected ,to thesuction side of the pump by means of a venible connection 20 which provides free vup and down` movement of the tube. The coupling or union between the suction til-be andthe flexible connection 20 is-also so designed esto permit the tubeito relatively rotate with .reference to the connection 20. This 4connection is of ordinary construction and there- 'fore need not be shown in detail. A cut-ter oragitatorQG is preferably mountedon the lower or suction end of the tube 19 and functions to lengage and loosen fthe material so that it may readily be upwardly drawn into the tube to the pump, from whence it is discharged through a `discharge pipe 27. The discharge pipe 27 is preferably connected to a pipe 28 by means of a vflexible coupling 29. The pipe 28 may be `su rted on pontoons 31 and is preferably builtup in sections so that it may reach a considerable distance, or the desired destination `at which the material is `to be discharged. The pipe 2S and the pontoons 31 are of; ordinaryconstruction and form no part of the present invention.

The means provided for rotating the suction pipe or tube 19 comprises a ygear 32 secured `to the tube and which is operable by means of a. Vinion 33 mounted on a shaft. 3st arranged aiovc the suction pipe.. The shaft la is mounted in bearings 85 and 3G secured to t-hc frame of the boom 21. .A beveled gear 37 is mounted on the opposite end of the shaft 34 and meshes with al pinion 3S mounted on a short shaft 39, which is driven from av motor 'i1 by such means as a silent chain drive 42. The motor 41 is preferably mounted on anelevated .frame structure 43 above the shaft 34 and suction tube 19 (see Figure 1).

The means provided forraisingand lowering't-he boom 21 and therefore the suction tube 19, preferably consists of a hoisting mechanism mounted atfthe forward end of the dredge. Referring to Figure 5 it will be noted thatthe forward ends of thc two supporting tanks 6 are suitably secured vtogether by means'of a transverse frame structure comprising the upper beam 44 andthe upright `posts 45, which have their lower ends shaped to conform to the peripheries of the tanks 6 andwhich` ends are suitably secured thereto. Diagonal braces 46 are preferably provided between each pair of upright posts to securely brace them together, and rearwardly extending braces 47 are also provided which have their upper ends secured to the horizontal beam 44 and their lower endsto the adjacent cross beam 7. rlhe purpose of spacing the horizontal beam 44 from the tanks 6, as sh-ownin Figure 5, is to provide clearance for the ladder and rsuction tube when raised to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1.

A hoisting cable 48 has one end secured to a bracket 49 mounted on the horizontal beam 44. This cable is adapted to engage a pair of sheaves 51 mounted on the boom 2l and also a pair of similar sheaves 52 preferably carried by't-he bracket 49. From one of the sheaves 52 the cable rearwardly eX- tends and has its end secured to a winding drum 53 mounted adjacent the rear end of the dredge. This drum and hoisting cable 48 function to raise and. lower theboom in the operation of the machine. The hoisting mechanism may be of any suitable type, and is here shown as being similar in construction to an ordinary double block and tackle, it being understood that there are two sheaves 5l and also two sheaves 52. A deck or walk 54 is preferably provided on each side of the boom as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and-these two decks may be connected by means of a cross walk 55 as shown. The decks 54 are mounted on thecross beams 7, asis clearly shown in Figure l. The mounting of the boom near the center of the dredge not only distributes therload more evenly but elimi nates the necessity of providing al projecting framev at the front of the dredge to support the boom when raised.

The rearend ofthe dredge is provided with a pairv of spuds 56, which are slidably mounted on vertical guides 57 `secured. to ILhe tanks 6 and to the rear cross beam 7. rllhe function of these two spuds is to provide means fo anchoring the dredge when in use and also to` assist in moving it about from place to place in the water. Each Spud is preferably provided with a cable 58 which has its lower end secured thereto by means of a pin or bolt 59, as shown in Figure l. A recess or groove 6l is provided in each spud to receive the cable 58, as shown in Figure 3. The other end of each cable is secured to a winding drum 62 and is adapted to be wound thereon as shown in Figure 3. Sheaves G3 are provided to guide the cables to the two winding drums 62. y

l prefer to connect the lifting cables of the spuds or legs to the lower portionstliereof so that the legs can be easily raised and lowered on the dredge and the winding mechanism therefor located in the lower portion of the dredge near the water line. Generally, in dredge construction, a skeleton frame projecting a considerable distance above the dredge is required when the hoist ing cables are connected to the upper portion of the legs. My connection to the lower portion of the legs permits me to dispense with this elevated frame.

Means are provided for laterally swinging the forward end of the'dredge from side to side. Such means preferably resides in the L provision of a pair of cables G4, which are preferably arranged one on each side of the dredge substantially over the two supporting tanks 6. These cables have their rear ends wound about a. pair of drums 65, and from these drums each cable forwardly extends and passes around a pair of sheaves 66 and G7 secured vto one of the cross beams 7 of the frame. From the sheaves 67 each cable rearwardlyrextends and passes over a similar sheave 68, thence forward to a sheave 69. From the two sheaves 69 at the forward end of the boom, the two swinging cables 64 outwardly extend in opposite directions and have their ends secured to suitable anchors or supporting means so that when the winding drums are rotated the forward end of the dredge will be shifted or swung to one side or the other, depending, of course, upon the direction of rotation of the two winding drums.

.The boom extends a substantial distance beyond the forward end of the dredge, and the landward runs of the cable are thus non interferingly disposed with respect to the pontoons, and this arrangement of the cables does away with tackle on the forward portion of the dredge.

The winding drums 53, 62 and G5 are each provided with a friction drive consisting of a disc 7l and a friction drive wheel 7 2. The friction drive wheels 72 are all mounted upon a counter-shaft 73 which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings provided on the frame of the structure, and which shaft is driven from a short jack shaft 74 by means of a gear drive 75. The jack shaft "4 may be driven from a motor 76 through a silent cha-in belt 77 (see Figure Another feature of this invention resides in the novel arrangement of the control levers for operating and controlling the movement and operation of the dredge. As shown in Figure l, an operators cabin or cab 78 is mounted at the rear of the dredge preferably above the winding mechanism at a point where the operator will have a clear vision on all sides of the dredge. This cabin is also so mount-ed that the operator may readily and conveniently watch the operalll() fil ' dredge.

its respective friction disc will be moved l m and ont of engagement with one of the friction drive wheels 72. Means may also be provided for braking or retarding the movement of each winding drum when its friction disc is moved out of engagement l withits ccmplen'ientary friction drive wheel.

Each winding drum may be provided with a stationary brake shoe, (not shown) so that when the friction disc is moved ont of engagement with the drive wheel 72 it will engage a brake shoe which will thereby retard or interrupt its further movement.

The above mechanism and also the connecting means between the connecting rods S1 and their respective slidably mounted bearings are of ordinary construction and therefore are not shown in the drawings.

F rom the foregoing it will readily be seen that this novel dredge may readily and conveniently be controlled and operated by one man stationed in the cabin 7S, by means of the control levers 79 of the winding drums 53, 62 and 65. When it is desired to swing the forward end of the dredge from one side to the other, one of the drums G5 will be rotated by moving one of the friction discs 71 into driving contact with its coinplementary drive wheel 72, thereby causing one of the swinging cables to be wound upon one of the drums wiiile the other is being unwound from the other drum. Such movement ofthe two swinging cables will cause the forward end of the dredge to be swung from one side to the other. Theraising and lowering of-l the boom 21 andthe suction tube 19 is effected by rotation of the drum 53, and in like manner the movement of the spuds 56 is controlled by the operation of the two winding drums 62.

The movement of the dredge is controlled by means of the two spuds 5G, provided at the stern and by means of the two swinging cables at the forward end or bow of the A cut is made .by swinging the forward end of the dredge about one of the spuds as' a center, such swinging of the dredge being effected by means of thetwo swinging cables which have their ends suitably secured to anchors placed either in the lake or ashore. The cut, therefore, will be Y circular in form and the depth thereof will be regulated by the raising and lowering of the boomcarnying the cutterand the suction pipe. Forward movementof the dredge is accomplished by swingin the forward end thereof from One side to the other and alternately changing the spuds, that is, the s uds will alternately be used as centers a. out which the dredge will swing from side to side. Y

By arranging the pumping mechanism and the supporting boom for the Suction tube substantially in the center of the dredge, the weight thereof will be equally distributed upon the two supporting tanks 6. Such arrangement of the boom will also allow the use of a much'longer suction tube, thereby providing a dredge adapted for use in excavating deep canals and excavations. The winding drumsand operating mechanism are also preferably mounted at the stern of the dredge beneath .the operators cabin for convenient accessibility, and also for the purpose of balancing the dredge when the suction tube or pipe is in elevated position as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1.

It will also be noted that the pump 13 and drive motor Mare located substantially beneath the level of the water, thereby increasing the stabilityof the dredge, and by which arrangement the pump may also readily and conveniently be primed, should it be necessary to do so in starting the suction through the suction tube or pipe 19.

I claim as my invention:

1. A dredge structure, comprising elongated pontoons, arranged in spaced parallel relation, a float as a pump-receiving chamber rigidly connecting the pontoons transversely, rearwardly of the longitudinal middle, and a boom-frame terminally horizontally pivoted between the pontoons substantially at the longitudinal middle thereof, and

below the water level, to obtain low center of gravity and balance of the dredge, and

longitudinal middle thereof, to obtain low! center of gravity and balance,'and maximum working range for the boom, and hoisting apparatus for the boom,`including a power driven hoisting,1r drum arranged rearwardly of the pump-chamber, symmetrically with respect to the long axis of the structure.

3. A device of the class described compris- Y irons disposed across the tops of and connecting corresponding pairs of rings, a boom terminally pivoted between the pontoons substantially at the longitudinal middle thereof below the water level, and a pump chamber transversely connecting and securing the pontoons at the opposite side of the longitudinal middle, submerged, and having its bottom below the level of the bottom of the pontoons.

4. A one-man dredge comprising spaced parallel pontoons transversely connected by a pump-housing float chamber, extending rearwardly from the longitudinal middle of the pontoons and of a depth to dispose pump below the water line for stabilizing purposes, a boom-frame terminally pivoted adjacent the chamber, substantially at the longitudinal middle and beneath the water, to lower the center of gravity of the dredge, and obtain maximum working range for the boom, operating machinery for the dredge at the rear thereof, and a control bridge also at the rear of the dredge having grouped control levers connecting with the machinery, whereby all working parts of the dredge are in constant view and operable from central control apparatus, by one person.

5. A device of the class described comprising Vspaced parallel pontoons, a float chamber transversely connecting said pontoons rearwardly of their longitudinal middle, said chamber having a motor-driven suction pump therein below the water level,

Across irons connecting the pontoons at opposite sides of the chamber, motor-driven hoisting drums disposed rearwardly of the chamber upon the cross irons, a boom-frame terminally pivoted between and at the longitudinal middle of the pontoons in a position to counter-balance the dredge machinery, a motor-driven suction tube and cutter on the boom, connections between suction tube and pump, a control cabin above the drums, and control connections in the cabin for the drums, pump and suction tube motors.

6. A dredging apparatus comprising pontoons, a partly submerged pump chamber as an open float, transversely connecting the pontoons and extending rearwardly from the longitudinal middle thereof and below the bottoms of the pontoons, a motor-driven suctionV pump in said chamber, having intake and discharge pipes, a boom terminally pivoted to and transversely between the pontoons substantially at the longitudinal middle thereof below the water line, said boom of a length substantially equal to the pontoons, and said boom carrying a rotatable suction tube having a terminal cutter and motor-driving mechanism therefor, the motor mounted to be above the water level at all working positions of the boom, ilexible conduit connections between suction tube and pump intake, hoisting connections for the boom including a motor-driven hoisting drum, said drum centrally arranged at the rearmost portion between the pontoons, a control cabin overlying the drum, and grouped control means in the cabin for pump, suction pipe and drum motors.

7. A dredge comprising spaced pontoons connected rearwardly of their longitudinal middle by an open float chamber having a motor-operated pump therein symmetri-.

cally arranged, a motor-operated hoisting drum rearwardly of the tank symmetrically arranged between and carried by the pontoons, a boom terminally pivoted substantially at the longitudinal middle of the pontoons, transversely thereof and having motor-operated suction tube and cutter, the hoisting and pump apparatus occupying the rear half of the dredge, and grouped control means for the motors operable from a point above the drums.

8. A dredging apparatus comprising parallel pontoons, a partly submerged open tank connecting the pontoons rearwardly of their longitudinal middle, and having therein a suction pump, having intake and discharge pipes, and driving means including a motor, all substantially below the water level and symmetrically arranged, a plurality of cross-irons connecting pontoons across the top at front and rear of the tank, a structural iron boom terminally pivoted substantially at the longitudinal middle of and between the pontoons below the water level, the tank and boom thus acting to ballast and stabilize the structure by obtaining a low center of gravity, a rotatable cuttercarrying suction pipe and driving means therefor upon the boom, including a motor adjacent the pivotal point of said boom positioned to be out of water at all positions of the boom, said boom having pairs of pulleys at its outer and `inner ends symmetri'cally arranged cross-wise thereof, pairs of pulleys similarly arranged on one of the cross irons, winding drums at the rear of the pontoons one on each side, a drag cable leading forwardly from each drum and around corresponding pulleys, and outwardly in opposite directions from the outermost boom pulleys, a spud translatable at the rear under side of each pontoon, a winding drum for each spud, having guiding cable attached at the lower ends of the spud, a boom hoisting drum, guided cables therefor including sheaves disposed centrally of the boom and cross iron, the axes of all drums being alined cross-wise of the pontoons rearwardly of the tank and symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal center of the pontoons, common motor driving and brake mechanisms for selectively operating the drums, and grouped central control means for the drums, pump and suction pipe motors, and drum brake mechanism.

9. A `dredging apparatus comprising supporting `tanks yspaced apart and having a rigid structural framework above and between them adapted to resist rotary movement of said tanks on a longitudinal axis, a boom pivotally supported near the middle portion of said tanks therebetween and below the water line and having a vertical os` cillating movement between them, a sheave mounted infv the` forward portion of said framework, a hoisting drum mounted in said framework at the rear portion thereof, a` cable connecting said hoisting drum with said boom and having a ruiming connection with said sheave whereby said boommay be raised and lowered, a suction tube mounted inisaid boom and having angagitator at its lower end, and a pump and driving means therefor supported in said framework in the rearfand adjacent to ysaid boom and inadvVance of said hoisting drum whereby the load may be evenly distributed on said tanks.

10. A dredging apparatus comprising elongated pontoons, a float tank interposed betweensaid pontoons and having a closed bottom and side walls, rings on the pontoons,

gussetfplates securing the walls of said tank rings, a cross beam contacting with the up# per edges'of. said tank above the pontoons, and end gusset plates connecting said. beam with said rings and cooperating with said i tank and its rings and gusset plates to hold said pontoons in parallel relation and connected rearwardly of their longitudinal middle by an open float chamber, a boom piv- 1 oted substantially at .the longitudinal middle of the pontoons and extending a substantial distance beyond the pontoons forwardly thereof, drag cable drums disposedk at the rear ofthe pontoons and having drag cables vleading forwardly on the pontoons, then inwardly onto the boom at and to opposite sides thereof substantially atthe pivotal point, then forward to take off in opposite directions aty the outer extremity of the boom.

l2. A dredging apparatus comprising elongated pontoons arranged in parallel relation, and havingreinforcing hoops thereon at intervals, upright standards having their low er ends secured to said hoops and projecting above said pontoons, cross beams secured to said standards and ioopcrating therewith to holdsaid pontoons in rigid relation, a boon'i'fpivotally supported between and by said lpontoons at the longitudinal middle thereof, a suction tube and agitator mounted therein Vand a 'cable having a running con nection with said boom and also having a runningconnection with the cross beams between said standards.

131A dredging apparatus comprising a pairof elongated metallic substantially cylindrical tanks having walls closed to the entrance'of water therein, reinforcing angle bands provided on 'said tanks at intervals, meansy connecting the vertical flanges of opposite hoops above the pontoons and forming a rigid .frame connection between said tanks, an open tank rearwardly of the longitudinal middle interposed between said cylindrical tanks and having its walls rigidly secured toisaidhoops and adapted to support a pump and motor, and a boom having a suction pipe said boom terminally pivotally :supportedy betweenk said cylindrical vtanks forwardly ofy the longitudinal middle and' Voperatively connected with said pump an( motor.

vIn witnesswhereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of March, 1925.

VASCO F. CASEY. 

